KR20030056132A - Card sales slip issuing apparatus having a for wireless communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A card processing terminal is provided to transmit a card transaction approval request to a server of a card company via a wired communication network when a strength of a wireless signal, transmitted from a base station, is lower than a reference value. CONSTITUTION: The terminal comprises a central control circuit(32), an input device(30), a card reader(36), an output device(28), a display(46), a wired communication device(50) and a wireless data transceiver(52). The central control circuit(32), including a processor and a memory, controls components of the terminal, performs a necessary operation and drives the driver of the input device(30) and the output device(28). The card reader(36) includes a magnetic card reader and an IC card reader for reading the data stored at a magnetic stripe of the magnetic card and the IC of the IC card, respectively. The input device(30) includes a conventional keypad, the output device(28) is an LCD(Liquid Crystal Display) panel, and the output device is a printer for printing data on a card transaction slip. The wired communication device(50) is for transmitting or receiving data over a PSTN(Public Switching Telephone Network) or a leased line and the wireless data transceiver(52) is for transmitting or receiving data over a wireless data communication network.

Description

Card transaction terminal with wireless communication device {CARD SALES SLIP ISSUING APPARATUS HAVING A FOR WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE}

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a card transaction terminal. The present invention relates to a card transaction terminal that transmits identification information and commerce information of a card during transaction using a card, inquires whether a transaction is approved, and performs commerce according to the result.

Payment is made for the provision of goods or services during commerce. As such a payment method, cards such as credit cards, debit cards, and IC cards are frequently used. Even when paying in cash, a card in which user information is stored may be used to register a discount or a cumulative transaction amount.

In a normal card payment transaction, a card transaction terminal is used. The card transaction terminal is used as follows. The cardholder presents the card to the merchant to pay for the goods or services provided by the merchant. The merchant inputs card user information to a card transaction terminal using a card reader, and inputs a transaction amount and a transaction condition using a keypad. The card transaction terminal requests transaction approval while making and sending an inquiry message including the input information and the affiliated store information. This is usually done via a wired telecommunication network, such as a public telephone network. It is input to the server of such a card transaction approval relay company (commonly called a VAN company). The card terminal is set to transfer the transaction approval information to any one of the predetermined VAN companies.

This card transaction information and authorization request are transmitted from the VAN company to the server of the card company (or bank). The server of the card company compares card user information, transaction details, and merchant information with information recorded in a database, and checks the transaction limit to determine whether to approve it.

The server of the card company transmits the usage authorization information to the server of the relay company. The relay server receives this information, stores it in the database of its host computer, and sends it to the card transaction terminal of the affiliated store requesting approval. Upon receiving the transaction approval information, the transaction terminal stores the approved transaction details in memory and prints and prints the transaction slips on the printer.

A wireless communication function may be given to a card transaction terminal which performs such a function. However, due to the characteristics of wireless communication, wireless communication may not be properly performed, so it is necessary to prepare for this. In addition, the development of various functions using wireless communication is required.

An object of the present invention is to provide a card transaction terminal configured to use wired communication when requesting a transaction approval and receiving the result using wireless communication, when wireless communication is difficult.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card transaction terminal configured to count and confirm sales generated between a certain period of time traded in a card transaction terminal using a wireless communication terminal such as a wireless telephone.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a card transaction terminal capable of reporting a failure to a radio communication terminal such as a radio telephone by pressing a button provided in the card transaction terminal once.

1 is a block diagram of a card inquiry system using a card transaction terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2a is a block diagram of a card transaction terminal according to an embodiment of the present invention

Figure 2b is a plan view of the card transaction terminal of Figure 2a

Figure 3 is a flow chart of the card inquiry and transaction approval operation of the card transaction terminal of Figure 2a

Figure 4 is a flow chart of the sales aggregate instant confirmation operation of the card transaction terminal of Figure 2a

5 is a flowchart of a one-touch failure report operation of the card transaction terminal of FIG.

* Explanation of symbols for the main parts of the drawings

10: card transaction terminal 32: central control circuit device 50: wireless data transceiver 52: wired data transceiver

According to an aspect of the present invention, in the card transaction terminal equipped with a card reader, an input device, and an output device for inquiring whether or not to approve the card transaction when the transaction with the card and output the transaction result,

A control unit connected to the card reader, the input device and the output device, a wired communication device connected to the control unit to transmit and receive information through a wired communication network, and a wireless communication device connected to the control unit to transmit and receive information through a wireless communication network. Provided with

The control unit operates the wired communication device to communicate with the wired communication network when the received signal strength (RSSI) of the signal received through the wireless communication device is less than a preset value when the card transaction approval is inquired. Is provided.

Preferably, the control unit operates the wired communication device to communicate with the wired communication network when a predetermined time has elapsed in a waiting state for transmitting an inquiry and receiving a response when receiving the approval of the card transaction.

In a preferred embodiment, the control unit receives the card information transmitted from the card reader, receives the transaction amount information transmitted from the input device, generates an inquiry message from the card information and the transaction amount information, and from the wireless communication device. Receives the received radio wave strength information, compares the received radio wave intensity with a preset value, and if the received radio wave intensity is smaller than a preset value, operates a wired communication device to transmit the inquiry through a wired communication network; If the radio wave intensity is greater than or equal to a preset value, the radio communication device is operated to transmit the inquiry through the radio communication network. The controller may be configured to release the operation of the wireless communication device when the waiting time for receiving a response through the wireless communication network exceeds the preset time after transmitting the inquiry through the wireless communication network by operating the wireless communication device. Operate the wired communication device to transmit the inquiry through the wired communication network.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the card transaction terminal for querying whether the card transaction approval and output the transaction results when transactions with the card,

A control unit and a wireless communication device connected to the control unit for transmitting and receiving information through a wireless communication network,

The control unit receives the identification number of the wireless communication terminal through the wireless communication device, generates sales message by counting the sales generated after a predetermined reference time and calculating the total of the sales, and causes the wireless communication device to A card transaction terminal is provided which transmits the sales aggregate message to the wireless communication terminal.

According to another aspect of the present invention, in the card transaction terminal device for inquiring whether the card transaction approval and output the transaction result when the transaction with the card,

And a wireless communication device and a button input device connected to the control unit and wirelessly transmitting and receiving information through a wireless communication network, wherein the button input device includes a failure report button,

The control unit receives the failure report button input information for pressing the failure report button once, generates a failure report message including an identification code of an affiliated store, and transmits the failure report message to a preset wireless communication terminal. A card transaction terminal apparatus is provided which operates a wireless communication apparatus.

Hereinafter, exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. 1 shows a card transaction system 8 with a card transaction terminal 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. The merchant's card transaction terminal 10 is connected to a wired communication network 12, such as a public telephone network (PSTN) or a dedicated network or the Internet network. The card transaction terminal 10 is connected to the server 18 of the card approval relay company through the wired communication network (12). The card approval relay server 18 is connected to the server 22 of the card company or the server 24 of the bank via the wired communication network 12. The server 22 of the card company or the server 24 of the bank compares the card user information, transaction history, and merchant information with information recorded in the database, examines the transaction limit, etc., and determines whether to approve it, and sends the result upside down. do.

On the other hand, the card transaction terminal 10 is provided with a wireless communication device is connected to the wireless communication network (14). The wireless communication network 14 includes a base station 15 and a repeater 16. The card transaction terminal 10 performs wireless communication with the base station 14 or the repeater 16. The card transaction terminal 10 is connected to the wireless communication network operation server 26 through the wireless communication network 14. The wireless communication network operation server 26 is connected to the card approval relay server 18 through the wired communication network 12. As a result, the terminal 10 requests a card approval from the card approval relay server 18. The card approval relay server 18 is connected to the server 22 of the card company or the server 24 of the bank via the wired communication network 20. Thus, as with the wired communication network 12, the wireless transaction network 14 can also be authorized for transactions using the card.

2A and 2B, the card transaction terminal 10 includes a central control circuit 32, an input device 30, a card reader device 36, an output device 28, and a display device 46. ). The input device 30, the card reader device 36, the output device 28, and the display device 46 are connected to the central control circuit 32. In addition, the card transaction terminal 10 is a wired data transmission and reception device (or wired communication device) 50 for communicating with an external wired communication network and a wireless data transmission and reception device (or wireless communication device) 52 for communicating with a wireless communication network. It is provided. These wired communication devices 50 and wireless communication devices 52 are connected to the central control circuit 32. The radio communication device 52 has an antenna 52a.

The central control circuit 32 includes a processor and a memory. The processor controls other configurations of the card transaction terminal 10 in accordance with the order of the programs stored in the memory and performs the necessary operations. The control unit 32 is provided with drivers of each input device and output device.

The card reader 36 includes a magnetic card reader and an IC card reader. The magnetic card reader can be a conventional one, and the user's information recorded on the magnetic stripe can be obtained by passing the magnetic stripe of the card through the head portion. The IC card reader can also use a conventional one.

The input device 30 has a keypad 34 composed of a plurality of buttons. The keypad 34 is provided with a number button 40 and various function buttons 42 as shown in FIG. 2B. An operator symbol button 44 such as + and X is also provided. The function button 42 is provided with an aggregation command button 42a, a failure report button 42d, and the like.

The display device 46 can use a liquid crystal display device that is commonly used. The output device 48 is provided with a printer for printing a card transaction slip. The liquid crystal display 46 and the printer 48 may be of a conventional configuration known in the card transaction terminal field.

The wired communication device 50 and the wireless communication device 52 may use a conventional transmission and reception device. The wireless communication device 52 has a number assigned to a terminal (for example, a wireless number such as 013-XXX-XXXX assigned to receive wireless data communication service of Intek Telecom Co., Ltd.). The radio communication device 52 has an antenna 52a.

In reality, there are places where wireless communication is not serviced according to geographical conditions or environmental factors. However, if there is no problem in the service area, there is an advantage that the communication fee is cheaper and faster than the wired communication, so that the card transaction terminal 10 has priority to perform the transaction approval process through wireless communication first. (But the present invention is not limited thereto).

In order to perform wireless communication, the wireless communication device 52 of the card transaction terminal 10 receives a radio wave transmitted by the base station 15 or the repeater 16. The strength of the received radio wave is called Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI). The magnitude is expressed in decibels (dB). The received radio wave intensity measured by the terminal 10 may vary depending on the situation of the wireless communication system, the position of the terminal 10, or the environment around the terminal. The lower the received radio wave strength, the less it is possible to communicate with the terminal 10 and the base station or repeater. In other words, if the radio wave strength (RSSI) is too low, the wireless communication service is not made at all, or even if the communication is initially performed, it is difficult to continue the communication.

In the present invention, when the card transaction terminal 10 having the wired and wireless communication device attempts wireless communication, if the received radio wave strength (RSSI) is too low (for example, 5 dB or less), the wireless communication network is not used. It is to use a wired network. When the card transaction terminal 10, which is a wired and wireless composite device, is set to perform wireless communication first, an error due to a failure may occur while exchanging data with an approval relay server through a wireless communication network operation server while attempting wireless communication. have. When the radio wave strength is low, the frequency increases. If an error occurs and wireless communication is not established, a problem occurs if a procedure for retransmitting data and waiting for a response is performed using a wired communication network. That is, the time to try to exchange data with the wireless communication network or the time until the determination that the wireless communication is not made is considerable. Therefore, even when switching to wired communication, it takes a considerable time to complete the final transaction, during which time the card user must wait. In contrast, in the present invention, when the received radio wave strength is below a certain level (for example, 5 dB or less), the card transaction terminal 10 immediately performs a transaction approval operation using a wired communication network, thereby reducing the waiting time for the card user. The merchant will be able to reduce the communication costs.

3 is a flowchart of a task performed by the card transaction terminal 10 during a card transaction according to an embodiment of the present invention as described above. Typically, a program configured to perform a task according to this flow is stored in the memory of the central control circuit 32. This program gets the processor up and running.

First, when a credit card (a description will be given with a credit card but the present invention can be applied to other types of cards, of course) touches or approaches the card reader 36, the card reader 36 stores user information stored in the card. The card number is read and payment processing is started (S301). After that, enter the transaction amount and enter the transaction conditions (eg installment, lump sum selection, etc.). Then, when the transfer command is issued through the keypad, the central control circuit 32 of the card transaction terminal 10 generates an approval inquiry.

First, it is checked whether the setting state of the central control circuit 32 is the wired communication mode (S303). In the wired mode, access is made to the wired communication network to send an approval inquiry to the transaction approval relay server 18 to request approval (S321). When the relay server 18 receives the approval from the card company server 22 or the bank server 24 and transmits the data, the card transaction terminal 10 receives the data. Then, the sales slip is output and the transaction is terminated (S323). Thereafter, the card transaction terminal 10 returns to the standby state (S325).

If the setting state of the central control circuit 32 is not the wired communication mode, it is set to the wireless communication mode. In the wireless communication mode, it is first checked whether the received radio wave strength is greater than a predetermined RSSI threshold (S305). If the received radio wave strength is smaller than the predetermined RSSI threshold, the access request message is sent to the transaction approval relay server 18 by accessing the wired communication network (S321). Subsequent steps are the same as described above.

If the received radio wave strength is larger than the preset RSSI threshold, the transaction approval procedure is performed through wireless communication. First, the transmitter transmits a transmission signal to the wireless communication network 14 and sends a transaction approval inquiry to the approval relay server 18 via the wireless communication network operation server 26 to request approval (S307). After confirming whether or not receiving a response (S309) and waits for a response. When the response is received, the approval data is received from the approval relay server 18 via the wireless communication network operation server 26. Thereafter, if a job such as outputting a sales slip is performed, the transaction is terminated (S323). The card transaction terminal 10 enters the standby state (S325).

On the other hand, by calculating the time that the response is not received, it is confirmed whether the response waiting time exceeds a predetermined time (S311). If the response waiting time does not exceed the preset time, it is continuously checked whether a response is received in the response waiting state (S309). If the response waiting time exceeds the preset time, it is checked again whether the setting of the card transaction terminal 10 is set to a mixed mode of wired and wireless (S313). If only the wireless dedicated mode is set, the process proceeds again from the wireless communication network connection step (S307). First, if the wireless composite mode is set, the wireless communication network is disconnected (S315). Then, the process proceeds to the connection step of the wired communication network (S321). Subsequent steps are the same as described above.

As described above, when the radio wave strength is low, by using the wired communication network from the beginning, it is possible to prevent waste of time due to the connection attempt through the wireless communication network in a poor wireless communication environment.

On the other hand, the card transaction terminal 10 is provided with a revenue counting function. Aggregation of revenue includes host aggregation and terminal aggregation. Host aggregation is a connection to a host computer of a transaction approval relay company (VAN) and aggregates sales with the transaction history stored in the computer's database. In host aggregation, menus such as credit card, debit card, and point card are provided. As credit card counts, for example, (1) period counts and (2) specific date counts are possible. Period aggregation is the output of sales totals for the period since the previous connection to the host. The specific date count outputs the set date count. Credit card counting is done by credit card-for example, Kookmin Card, BC Card, Samsung Card, LG Card.

Terminal aggregation aggregates the data recorded in the terminal's memory without accessing the host computer. Counting is done by period. In terminal counting, menus such as credit card counting, debit card counting, cash sales counting, total counting, and total deletion are provided.

In the case of credit card aggregation, the transaction details and the total amount paid by the credit card are output for the period of remaining data in memory for each credit card. Debit card counts are similar. Cash sales aggregates the amount of cash payments and receipts issued without access to the host computer. The total count is the sum of these credit card counts, debit card counts and cash revenue counts. All deletion is to delete the transaction history stored in the memory of the terminal after the aggregation. The next terminal count reflects only after this deleted time.

This counting starts while pushing the count command button 42a. The step-by-step menu described above is in turn displayed on the liquid crystal display 46. When the number assigned to the desired menu is pressed, the next menu is displayed on the liquid crystal display 46. At each step, press the number to select the desired counting method. When a final command is issued from the menu, the tally is printed on the sales slip sheet in the printer 48.

The card transaction terminal 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention has a function of confirming the sales for a predetermined period in a simple operation (for example, pressing a button once) in addition to the sales counting. This is called a function of instant checking the sales aggregate for a period of time. Periodic confirmation of sales aggregates for a certain period of time is performed through the following process. The control unit 32 waits for input of the instant confirmation command for a certain period of time in the key input standby state. If a certain amount of sales momentary confirmation button 42b is pressed and entered, the controller recognizes this. The processor of the controller 32 calculates the sales for which a transaction is made from the reference time stored in the memory to the time of input of the button 42b. First, we calculate sales made by credit card, and then we calculate sales by debit card and cash order. After the calculation, the control unit 32 then displays the sales calculation result on the liquid crystal display 46. For example, credit card sales, debit card sales, cash sales, and total sales for that period are summarized on one screen.

If the button 42b is depressed for a predetermined time (for example, 3 seconds) or more, a message indicating whether to set a new reference time is displayed. At this time, when the enter button 42c is pressed, the reference time is set to the button input time (current time). When another button is pressed, the reference time does not change.

The card transaction terminal 10 of the present invention can perform a real-time turnover check operation for a predetermined period of time at a remote location using a wireless communication terminal (for example, a wireless phone called a normal mobile phone). The user can check the sales aggregate instantaneously for a certain period using a wireless communication terminal. The card transaction terminal 10 is assigned an identification number for wireless communication (for example, a wireless number such as 013-XXX-XXXX assigned to receive wireless data communication service of Intek Telecom Co., Ltd.). The user calls the card transaction terminal 10 in the wireless communication terminal. At this time, the user transmits the number and password of the wireless communication terminal to receive the sales count through the wireless communication terminal. Then, the card transaction terminal 10 receives the call signal (S401), and receives the information transmitted from the wireless communication terminal (S403). After receiving it, it is checked whether the received password matches the stored password (S405). If it is wrong, it returns to the standby state (S413) again.

If the passwords match, the processor of the control unit 32 calculates the sales for which the transaction is made from the reference time stored in the memory to the time of receiving the call (S407). For example, first, sales calculated by credit card are calculated, and sales are calculated in order of debit card and cash. After the calculation, the control unit 32 then generates the sales calculation result in a short message (S409). For example, it is prepared to show credit card sales, debit card sales, cash sales, and total sales for that period. Thereafter, the wireless communication terminal is called to transmit a short message (S411). Then, it enters the standby state (S413). In general, when a short message is transmitted by calling a wireless communication terminal, a communication message in which an identification number and a message content of the wireless communication terminal is recorded is transmitted to a server (SMS server) of a wireless communication service provider. The SMS server then sends a message to the terminal. However, the short message transmission method of the present invention is not limited to the above method, and it will be understood by those skilled in the art that any kind of message transmission method may be used.

On the other hand, if the sales aggregate is made as described above, the reference time is set to the button input time (current time). However, the present invention is not limited thereto. In other words, when checking the sales aggregate through the wireless communication terminal, it is possible to change the reference time of sales aggregate.

2B and 5 again, the keypad 34 of the card transaction terminal 10 is provided with a failure report button 42d. When the user presses the failure report button 42d, the control unit 32 detects this (S501), and generates a failure repair request short message (S503). The troubleshooting request short message includes a code indicating the troubleshooting request and the merchant number. After generating a trouble repair request message, the wireless communication terminal of the trouble report receiving agent stored in the memory of the card transaction terminal 10 in advance through the wireless communication network and transmits the short message (S505). Thereafter, the card transaction terminal 10 enters the standby state (S507). Of course, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art that the entire troubleshooting request can be transmitted through a wired communication network depending on the usage state.

According to the above configuration of the present invention, the card transaction terminal may request the approval of the card transaction using a wired or wireless communication network. When the wireless communication network is set to preferentially use, when the received signal strength is lower than a predetermined value, the wired communication network is used. In addition, when a data transmission / reception error occurs in wireless communication, communication can be automatically resumed using a wired communication network without waiting for retransmission or responsive reception. This saves time that could be wasted while attempting to approve a transaction using a wireless communication network. In addition, it is possible to easily check the sales aggregate from a remote location using wireless communication. In addition, since the failure report also uses wireless communication, it can be immediately received by the trouble report receiver.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiments, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations of the embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention and that such modifications and variations also fall within the invention.

Claims (6)

In the card transaction terminal equipped with a card reader, an input device, and an output device for inquiring whether or not to approve the card transaction and output the transaction result when the card transaction is performed, A control unit connected to the card reader, the input device and the output device, a wired communication device connected to the control unit to transmit and receive information through a wired communication network, and a wireless communication device connected to the control unit to transmit and receive information through a wireless communication network. Provided with The control unit operates the wired communication device to communicate with the wired communication network when the received signal strength (RSSI) of the signal received through the wireless communication device is less than a preset value when the card transaction approval is inquired. . The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the control unit operates the wired communication device to communicate with the wired communication network when a predetermined time elapses in a waiting state for transmitting an inquiry through a wireless communication network and receiving a response when inquiring whether to approve a card transaction. Card transaction terminal, characterized in that to make. The method of claim 1, wherein the control unit Receive card information sent from the card reader, Receive transaction amount information transmitted from the input device, Generating an inquiry sentence from the card information and the transaction amount information; Receiving radio wave strength information from the wireless communication device; Comparing the received radio wave strength with a preset value, When the received radio wave strength is smaller than a preset value, operate the wired communication device to transmit the inquiry through the wired communication network, And transmitting the inquiry through the wireless communication network by operating a wireless communication device when the received radio wave strength is greater than or equal to a preset value. The wireless communication apparatus of claim 3, wherein the controller operates the wireless communication apparatus to transmit the inquiry through the wireless communication network, and then when the waiting time for receiving a response through the wireless communication network exceeds a preset time, the operation of the wireless communication apparatus. The card transaction terminal, characterized in that for releasing, and operating the wired communication device to transmit the inquiry through a wired communication network. In the card transaction terminal for inquiring whether the card transaction approval and output the transaction results when transactions with the card, A control unit and a wireless communication device connected to the control unit for transmitting and receiving information through a wireless communication network, The control unit receives the identification number of the wireless communication terminal through the wireless communication device, generates sales message by counting the sales generated after a predetermined reference time and calculating the total of the sales, and causes the wireless communication device to Card transaction terminal, characterized in that for transmitting the sales aggregate message text to the wireless communication terminal. In the card transaction terminal device for inquiring whether the card transaction approval and output the transaction results when transactions with the card, And a wireless communication device and a button input device connected to the control unit and wirelessly transmitting and receiving information through a wireless communication network, wherein the button input device includes a failure report button, The control unit receives the failure report button input information for pressing the failure report button once, generates a failure report message including an identification code of an affiliated store, and transmits the failure report message to a preset wireless communication terminal. Card transaction terminal device characterized in that for operating a wireless communication device.